Rheumatoid Arthritis
My dad was recently diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. What should we expect?
His blood work came back positive, he’s getting a second test done but we’re pretty sure he has it. I know what Rheumatoid Arthritis is but I don’t know what really happens to the body other than the splaying of hands. Can somebody shed some light? We’re really nervous.
I was diagnosed with RA 4 years ago, just after I turned 27. At the time I was diagnosed, my SED rate was 88, which was pretty miserable. I was terrified, because my great aunt’s RA had crippled her and that was all I knew of the disease. However, she’d been diagnosed at 38, and was at that point 80 and hadn’t been able to benefit from the treatments available today.
I first took prednisone to address my immediate inflammation. It caused me some anxiety, so they also gave me clonazepam to take occasionally to help me sleep. I began taking methotrexate, plaquenil, naproxen and folic acid (to counter the side effects of the methotrexate). After about 6 months, my doctor finished weaning me off the prednisone.
After about a year and a half of treatment, I was still having some trouble. My wrists were inflamed to where my ligaments moved. I thought that was something I was going to have to learn to live with. But my doctor prescribed Enbrel, which I auto-inject every week. It’s not a pleasant thing to do, but I feel much better – it’s well worth the brief weekly discomfort. I still do take the other meds, although we’re tweaking things now.
I see my doctor every 3-4 months, and we monitor my liver function every 2 months. So far so good. My SED rate has been in the normal range (0 – 20) for years now, which is far more pleasant than my earlier 88.
Before I was treated, I couldn’t open my gas tank or a bottle of water, but that’s no problem now. I’ve noticed some adaptations I’ve made, such as using my forearms to push against doors instead of pushing with my hand – it’s just more comfortable and less prone to injury. I can lift weights, although I take it slowish and wear gloves to protect my wrists. And I can type about 70 wpm, so I’m doing ok there. 
What I’m trying to say is, it can be very scary and daunting at first, but there are many, many treatment options. If your dad finds a doctor he trusts and communicates with him, he should be able to find a treatment that works for him.
I hope all goes well for your dad. I know this is a rough time but try to stay positive. 
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Part One
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Progressive Flexible Jar Openers, Set of 3 $2.93 A must when it’s only you and the tight jar lid!… |
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Arthritic hand Photo Mugs Rheumatoid arthritis. Computer artwork ofbones of the human hand, showing joints affectedby rheuma- toid arthritis. Sites of jointinflammation due to arthritic disease are depictedas red hotspots. Three knuckles(metacarpo-phalangeal joints) are affected, as arephalangeal joints of two fingers. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most severe type ofinflammatory joint disease, in which the bodysimmune syste… |
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Arthritic hands, X-ray Photo Mugs Arthritic hands. Coloured X-ray of thedeformed hands of a patient suffering fromrheumatoid arthritis. The patients fingers areabnormally bent because of damage to the joints.Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder. Itoccurs when the bodys immune system attacks jointtissue, commonly in the hands and feet. Affectedjoints become painful and inflamed, limitingmovement. There is no cure for the … |
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Yoga for Arthritis – Pathways to Better Living with Arthritis and Related Conditions [VHS] $29.95 Pathways is a state-of-the-art, yoga-based exercise program produced by top exercise and physical therapists for the Arthritis Foundation. It is nationally acclaimed and is used by physical and occupational therapists, rheumatologists, and hospitals throughout the country, as well as by individuals in their homes. The video shows 5 people, all of whom have some type of arthritis, such as fibromy… |
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Arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis [VHS] $29.95 … |
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Rheumatoid Arthritis: Taking Control (An Innovative Television Special) $34.99 … |
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Yoga for Arthritis $15.95 This DVD was created for the Arthritis Foundation by yoga therapist Shoosh Lettick Crotzer, who has been teaching yoga for more than 36 years, and physical therapists. It is a state-of-the-art, easy-to-use yoga-based program and it includes breathing techniques, stretches, strengthening exercises, an aerobic section, and a total body relaxation. All five participants on this tape have various type… |
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Yoga Therapy Prescriptions – 60 Health Restorative Sequences ~ Laura Hawes $29.95 This DVD does not have manufacturing defects (as one amazon review suggests). This DVD is manufactured by Amazon.com on DVD-R media. DVD-R media will not play in 1 out of 20 older DVD players. Amazon will obviously refund your purchase costs if necessary.A simple menu based interactive DVD that draws upon 4000 years of ancient wisdom and suggests specific yoga practices based on your health condit… |
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Brooke $1.99 … |
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Biofreeze Pain Relieving Roll On, 3-Ounce (Pack of 3) $21.91 Can be used as often as necessary – up to 4 times per day. The application can be applied pre-treatment to acute areas of muscle spasms to allow for a faster relaxation of muscle involvement and better treatment response. The roll-on is also a convenient application for the patient at home to continue care for these acute conditions. As a roll-on it also affords the office staff a very hygienic de… |